THE DEFECTOR FILM LTD.
Matthew Mitchell, Producer
A prolific and multi award-winning West End Theatre producer, Matthew has just finished making his first film, Urban and The Shed Crew, starring Anna Friel, Richard Armitage and Neil Morrissey which is due to be released in 2018. His recent theatrical hits include the multi Oliver Award winning revival of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton and the Olivier and Tony award-winning La Cage Aux Folles. Other notable productions in the West End include; Matthew Bourne's Cinderella, Nutcracker! and Sleeping Beauty; Don Carlos with Sir Derek Jacobi, Endgame with Sir Michael Gambon and Lee Evans, The Price with Warren Mitchell, The Rocky Horror Show and Three Sisters with Kristen Scott Thomas.
Suzie Shearer, Producer
Suzie started her career producing commercials in advertising but soon moved into the world of feature films where she has worked almost solely for the last 23 years, rising from Production Secretary on a low budget independent to co-producing The Hustle for MGM (release scheduled Spring 2019). Suzie’s credits include Spygame starring Brad Pitt and Robert Redford, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Layercake starring Daniel Craig and Sienna Miller, Love Actually, Nanny McPhee, Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides, The Imitation Game (7 Oscar Nominations and 9 Bafta nominations), Peter and Wendy (Emmy Award) and Hunter Killer starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman. In 2005, she set up and ran the Skillset Film Producer Training Programme for its initial year alongside a Masterclass scheme. Suzie was personally nominated as part of Morten Tyldum’s Directorial Team for the DGA’s Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film 2015.
Boris Starling, Screenwriter
Boris Starling is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter and journalist. His books have reached the Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller lists. His debut novel, MESSIAH, was made into a prime time BBC1 series which ran for five seasons, and he has written scripts and developed projects for broadcasters, studios and production companies in the UK, US and Europe. Boris writes regularly for several national newspapers and was the writer-in-residence at Max Gate, Thomas Hardy's house. Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked for an international consultancy specialising in political risk assessment, confidential investigations and kidnap negotiation. Boris lives in Dorset with his wife, children, dogs and a constantly fluctuating number of chickens and ducks.
Paul Sarony, Head of Production
Paul Sarony has worked in the entertainment industry for more than 40 years and is one of the most sought after Film and TV producers working in the UK today. His credits range from low budget Oscar & BAFTA winning film, Mrs Brown, to eighty million dollar studio picture, Babylon AD. Paul has Produced or Line Produced over 30 films and many more television dramas as a Production Manager. Recent credits include Hysteria, Vampire Academy, and Sky’s high profile mini series Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond. Paul’s experience covers almost every possible role ranging from Stage Manager to Unit Manager, 1st AD and Production Manager. For the last 15 years he has worked variously as a Line Producer, Producer and Executive Producer on a wide variety of films. His other credits include: Shine, Bhaji on the Beach, The Criminal, A Rather English Marriage, Hideous Kinky, Welcome to Sarajevo and The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain. A committee member of the Film Production Guild, Paul has designed and tutored several training courses for senior production personnel and new producers. He also lectures at the National TV & Film School as well as acting as external assessor for several British Film funding bodies.